Asia Building

In 1916, a prominent structure arose on the Bund, forever changing Shanghai’s skyline. This was the Asia Building, originally known as the McBain Building. It quickly earned the nickname “Number One Building on the Bund” due to its prime location at the corner of the Bund and Avenue Edward VII (now East Yan’an Road) and its impressive height. The Asia Building was the brainchild of British merchant George McBain, built upon land previously owned by the Hogg Brothers trading company. McBain commissioned the renowned architectural firm Moorhead & Halse and contractor Yu Chang Tai to bring his vision to life. The building was originally seven stories tall, later expanding to eight in 1939. Just a year after its completion, the Asia Building gained a new identity. The Asiatic Petroleum division of Royal Dutch Shell, known for selling kerosene and candles, acquired much of the building and renamed it the Asia Building. This marked the beginning of the building’s association with the petroleum giant. The Asia Building weathered turbulent times during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai. The building was taken over, forcing the primarily British staff to flee to Chongqing. Many returned after the occupation, witnessing a surge in the company’s profits. The building continued to serve as a hub for Asiatic Petroleum until 1966, even after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China led to the closure of some of the company’s branches. The East China Petroleum Company took control in 1950, and later various occupants, including the Shanghai Metallurgical Designing & Research Institute and Shanghai Silk Company, moved in. Eventually, the Shanghai Real Estate Department assumed control. Two shell-shaped ornaments, a reminder of Royal Dutch Shell’s legacy, were removed from the facade before their departure and now reside in the Shanghai History Museum. The Asia Building later became the headquarters of the China Pacific Insurance Company in 1996, but by 2015 it was largely vacant. The building found new life in the art world. In 2021, Christie’s announced its move into the Asia Building, holding its first auction there in 2022. Later that year, the Bund One Art Museum (BOAM) opened, showcasing Italian Old Masters. This historic landmark on the Bund, once a symbol of trade and commerce, now stands as a beacon of art and culture, continuing to evolve with the times.